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I am a Marxist, Dalai Lama says
The Dalai Lama.
KOLKATA: Describing himself as a Marxist, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Tuesday said many Marxist leaders have now become capitalists in thinking.
"As far as social-economic theory is concerned, I am still a Marxist," the spiritual leader said adding that he admires Marxism because of its focus on reducing gap between the rich and the poor.
"Many Marxist leaders are now capitalists in their thinking. It depends on their motivation, thinking, wider perspective," the spiritual leader said during a lecture on world peace in Presidency University.
"In capitalist countries, there is an increasing gap between the rich and the poor. In Marxism, there is emphasis on equal distribution. That is very crucial to me," he said.
READ ALSO: Dalai Lama in 'informal' talks to return to Tibet
He blamed discrimination against women and those from low-castes for hampering peace in India, but said, "Muslims in India are living more safely than the Shias of Pakistan."
The Dalai Lama greets the audience as he arrives to speak on "A Human Approach to World Peace" at Presidency Univeristy in Kolkata, on January 13, 2015.
The 14th Dalai Lama appealed to those under the age of 30 to make the 21st century as the "century of peace".
"The previous century was one of violence. If we make this the century of dialogue then it will become the century peace. I will not see this in my lifetime but we must start working on it. Those below thirty are the generation of the 21st century. You have to stop violence with your will, vision and wisdom," Lama said while calling for a complete ban on nuclear weapons.
READ ALSO: China dismisses Dalai Lama's wish to visit Tibet
When a student asked him about the meaning of the title of his book "Freedom in exile", he said that since India is a free country he also has complete freedom.
"I ran away at the age of 16 and lost my freedom, my country. Over 100,000 followers came to this country where I had lot of opportunities of meeting people from different religious backgrounds and leaders of different traditions. Because of all this and that India is a free country I also have my complete freedom. This is the meaning of freedom in exile," he said.
Describing himself as a messenger of ancient Indian philosophy, the Lama said India is the guru and the people are the "chelas" (disciples).
"We 'chelas' are very reliable ones. We have kept the guru's knowledge intact for over a thousand years. Now the knowledge of 'chela' is better than the knowledge of 'guru'," he said while appealing Indian to be more active in peace.
Read this story in Hindi: दलाई लामा ने कहा, 'मैं हूं मार्क्सवादी'
"As far as social-economic theory is concerned, I am still a Marxist," the spiritual leader said adding that he admires Marxism because of its focus on reducing gap between the rich and the poor.
"Many Marxist leaders are now capitalists in their thinking. It depends on their motivation, thinking, wider perspective," the spiritual leader said during a lecture on world peace in Presidency University.
READ ALSO: Dalai Lama in 'informal' talks to return to Tibet
He blamed discrimination against women and those from low-castes for hampering peace in India, but said, "Muslims in India are living more safely than the Shias of Pakistan."
The Dalai Lama greets the audience as he arrives to speak on "A Human Approach to World Peace" at Presidency Univeristy in Kolkata, on January 13, 2015.
The 14th Dalai Lama appealed to those under the age of 30 to make the 21st century as the "century of peace".
"The previous century was one of violence. If we make this the century of dialogue then it will become the century peace. I will not see this in my lifetime but we must start working on it. Those below thirty are the generation of the 21st century. You have to stop violence with your will, vision and wisdom," Lama said while calling for a complete ban on nuclear weapons.
READ ALSO: China dismisses Dalai Lama's wish to visit Tibet
When a student asked him about the meaning of the title of his book "Freedom in exile", he said that since India is a free country he also has complete freedom.
"I ran away at the age of 16 and lost my freedom, my country. Over 100,000 followers came to this country where I had lot of opportunities of meeting people from different religious backgrounds and leaders of different traditions. Because of all this and that India is a free country I also have my complete freedom. This is the meaning of freedom in exile," he said.
Describing himself as a messenger of ancient Indian philosophy, the Lama said India is the guru and the people are the "chelas" (disciples).
"We 'chelas' are very reliable ones. We have kept the guru's knowledge intact for over a thousand years. Now the knowledge of 'chela' is better than the knowledge of 'guru'," he said while appealing Indian to be more active in peace.
Read this story in Hindi: दलाई लामा ने कहा, 'मैं हूं मार्क्सवादी'
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Reader's opinions
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"The 14th Dalai Lama appealed to those under the age of 30 to make the 21st century as the "century of peace"". It is this kind of "feel good" meaningless drivel that alarms me, especially when it comes from a Nobel laureate leader who has been the honored guest of this great nation, which has actually paid a heavy price for its hospitality! What is this peace the Llama is talking about? Is it peace at any cost? Is it the peace of tranquility or the peace of one subjugated and wills crushed? The good llama would have served his host nation well had he defined peace better and as peace through strength.
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